NHS National Rehabilitation Centre Introduces Smart Bedside Screens Powered by Airwave Technology
The new NHS National Rehabilitation Centre (NRC), managed by Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, is set to revolutionize rehabilitation care with the introduction of intelligent bedside terminals. Airwave Healthcare, a company renowned for its commitment to improving patient care, has been chosen to equip the centre with these innovative devices.
The selection of Airwave Healthcare for the NRC project followed a rigorous procurement process, with factors such as cost and extensive experience in supporting NHS providers playing a significant role. The company's dedication to helping staff deliver the best care for patients at the NRC is evident in their plans to collaborate with healthcare professionals to understand evolving needs and innovate accordingly throughout the agreement.
The key features of these intelligent bedside terminals include patient control of their environment, integrated iPad devices, access to educational content, personalized diaries and schedules, electronic patient record integration, communication tools, and meal ordering. Patients will be able to operate room blinds, lighting, and heating directly from the terminals, promoting independence during recovery from severe illnesses or injuries like brain injuries.
The terminals are more than just entertainment devices; they are personalized to the patient's needs, providing rehabilitation-relevant educational materials tailored to their individual recovery journey. The devices also offer personalized diaries to keep patients informed about their daily activities and care schedules, and they connect to the NRC’s electronic health records, allowing patients live access to important information such as estimated discharge date, medications, diet, and care teams.
Communication tools enable patients to video call friends and family, helping social connectivity during recovery, while meal ordering allows for easy meal selection through an enhanced service called MyCareTV.
These intelligent terminals are an integral part of the NRC's broader strategy to use technology to enhance rehabilitation care and patient experience. The benefits include enhanced patient independence, improved patient engagement, social and emotional support, and convenience and comfort. The centre, located near Loughborough, Leicestershire, is scheduled to open later in 2025.
Dean Moody, healthcare services director at Airwave Healthcare, stated that investing in technology to stimulate and engage patients in their care is essential for enhancing recovery. Moody also mentioned that the needs of patients at the National Rehabilitation Centre require a particular focus on technology to aid recovery.
The NRC represents a strong example of rehabilitation transformation, and the introduction of these intelligent bedside terminals is set to play a significant role in this transformation.
- The collaboration between Airwave Healthcare and healthcare professionals will involve understanding the evolving needs of patients at the NRC, with a focus on integrating digital health technology into rehabilitation care, such as smart bedside terminals that offer educational content, patient diaries, and communication tools, as part of the centre's overall strategy to improve patient experience and recovery outcomes.
- The implementation of these digital health devices, including intelligent bedside terminals, at the NRC is anticipated to bring about transformative changes in rehabilitation care by promoting patient independence, fostering social connectivity, enhancing patient engagement, and providing convenient access to personalized health information, thereby contributing to a more comfortable and supportive environment for patients during their recovery journey.
